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Electric Fences or Other Ideas?

Hi everyone

Things are going well with Mya and she is getting on with Jenna OK. I do have a bit of a problem, though. At the bottom of our large yard we have a 'Vegetated buffer" it was there when we bought the house and there is a covenant on the property which says we are not allowed to remove it. Now it's pretty dense bush about 60m wide and 20m deep. There is a fence at the bottom of it so the yard is completely secure but I really want to stop the dogs, especially Mya from going into it. Jenna wanders in there occasionally but if I call her she will come out so it's not really been a problem til now.

Mya just runs straight into it every time I let her out in the garden. She won't come back out til she's ready and I can't see her in there. This means she pretty much cannot go out at night because of toads and other nasties that she wants to chase (and eat if we're not careful). I have been taking her out on a long line at the moment but that is not ideal. I want her to be able to enjoy our large yard, safely.

So I was thinking of putting one of those electric fence things which run on the ground, I think, and give them a bit of a shock if they get too near. What do people think? Are they cruel? Better than being bitten by a snake or eating a toad though I would think. Has anyone used one with success or has anyone any other ideas? I don't really want to physically fence off the area. Firstly, it would cost a fortune and also be pretty ugly as it would have to be quite high, Mya is a bit of a jumper.

I've heard good and bad reviews about the electric fencing, TKay. I have never used it, so can't help with any expereince of it.
The only concern I would have is that Jenna must stay out of there as well. Otherwise I would think it would be too enticing to Mya to follow her in.

I've known ppl who have used this fencing with great results on country properties, as like you, the option of a permanent fence was not available to them. I've heard of some that felt it didn't work though, also.

I don't have any experience with the hidden fence technology, we have an electric fence that runs on the outside of our fence at the front and rear of our property, just above the ground and at the top to stop any dog digging or jumping in to bitches.

We do have a large bush area that is full of farmers friend and drove me mad getting them out of the setters coat so daily I would mix in a big container designed for killing weeds a mixture of dettol, water and citronella oil and sprayed the area. It's 50 mtrs long.

I had to do this for about a month after moving in because it was sensory overdrive in there for the big nosed setter.

Tkay electric fences are a bit of a tabu. A lot of people will tell you they are cruel and in no way can you ever use one. IMO they are far better than the dog getting hit by a car, or in your case, bitten by a snake or eating a toad. If you only get a small generator it can not do permanent damage. I have had elec. fences my entire life (we run horses) and so have touch many a full strength fence. They only shock. Yes a full strength cattle fence will hurt a dog ... Im not saying get a big gen. Get a small shock line for small animals and your dog will only have to be shocked once to learn not to go down there. They can smell when it is on and wont go near it.
NOTE: This is only my oppinion. Please do not shoot me down for it.

Short of that it is a good idea to teach recall asap. It is always the first thing I do with a new dog. Best way to make her come back even when she want sooo badly to go down the back is... make it christmas when she come back on recall. Make her think that no matter how good it is down the back, it is always going to be BETTER if she comes to you.

Good luck with this.

Breeding, Showing, Training and general crazy making!!!
If you seek understanding listen to the music, not the song.

DA, I would like to keep out of there anyway so I would think you can get multiple collars to put on them. I'm internet trawling at the moment.

With regard to recall. This is something we will definitely work on but I think Mya is going to be a challenge, especially if she is, as her microchip register says, a husky or even husky x. The main problem so far is, she is not food driven at all. Having only owned complete greedy pigs before, this is proving difficult. What to reward when she does come? She does like cheese but even that she doesn't always take and certainly not with enthusiasm. Mmmmm might start another thread on that

I think I posted about my experiencs with electric fences I'll do a search and repost, I have used 2 systems they work great. cost will be around the 300-500 mark today if you are looking at electic tape and trasformers etc. you can choose solar 12v or mains powered.,

If you find yourself going through hell; Don't stay. Just keep on going.
Beau.

I think I posted about my experiencs with electric fences I'll do a search and repost, I have used 2 systems they work great. cost will be around the 300-500 mark today if you are looking at electic tape and trasformers etc. you can choose solar 12v or mains powered.,

The only ones i have had experience with is the thunderbird and the ping string, both contain dogs, the ping string was used as a barrier at a gate, its realy just a static charge and the thunderbird was a full 7 string fence on star pickets that held 5 camels and also stopped wild dogs from getting in. I had the 3 kilometer transformer wih the TBird, i think it cost me 300 but that was 14 yrs ago, the clips and white string wernt much, i tried the electric tape as t was cheaper but i didnt find i as effective, good for horses though..

....

If you find yourself going through hell; Don't stay. Just keep on going.
Beau.

My uncle trained his dogs to stay home with something called an "invisible fence". The dogs wore special collars that triggered with a small zap if they went into the too close zone. The zap power was a bit less than the static zap you can get off your car if you earth it, I think it can be adjusted depending on the dog. They found this kind of fence great and the dogs do not need to wear the collars now. I think the training took a few months.

I think the kind of electric wire used for horses and sheep and cattle might not work so well for dogs if they jump it. Ie an animal has to touch the fence and back off for it to be effective. It works really well if a dog touches it with its nose or happens to be peeing on it when it pulses. But not if the dog merely hurdles it - which is what Frosty does to nose level ropes.

My uncle trained his dogs to stay home with something called an "invisible fence". The dogs wore special collars that triggered with a small zap if they went into the too close zone. The zap power was a bit less than the static zap you can get off your car if you earth it, I think it can be adjusted depending on the dog. They found this kind of fence great and the dogs do not need to wear the collars now. I think the training took a few months.

I think the kind of electric wire used for horses and sheep and cattle might not work so well for dogs if they jump it. Ie an animal has to touch the fence and back off for it to be effective. It works really well if a dog touches it with its nose or happens to be peeing on it when it pulses. But not if the dog merely hurdles it - which is what Frosty does to nose level ropes.

I agree about the invisible fencing that hy has suggested. They took off like crazy when first released, and I have heard great things about them.